Short-sighted Republicans

I am a conservative Republican. I voted for Gov. Pat McCrory and our representatives, believing they would use common sense to trim our government budget.

Giving no raise to teachers (or rewarding them for advanced degrees) should be the last option for balancing the budget. The education of all the children of North Carolina ensures a tax base for the future.

How will we attract and keep the finest teachers? Not by this short-sighted decision.

To the public officials: Change this cut, or you won’t be my choice – or that of many others – in the next election.

Judy A. Carne, Leland

Phil Berger’s actions speak loudly

If Sen. Phil Berger thinks that “the overwhelming majority of educators are top-notch,” as he wrote recently in the StarNews, then why should only 25 percent of them be eligible for a paltry $500 raise? A majority is more than 50 percent. Berger wants us to think that he really cares about teachers, but his actions say something else entirely.

That $500-per-year raise is less than 1 percent for the average teacher. That won’t come close to the rate of inflation. That is not a reward no matter how many times Berger calls it that.

So, he wants to “reward” some of the top-notch teachers with minimal pay increases, while other top-notch teachers get nothing. I guess some teachers are more top-notch than others, but none of them deserve to keep up with inflation.

The choices for North Carolina teachers and other state employees are now clear: Leave the profession, leave the state, or get even more active politically.

The time to make this choice is now. Don’t wait for inflation to further reduce the purchasing power of a static salary.

Eric Brandon, Wilmington

We need new crop of leaders

America the Beautiful has been the greatest place to live in freedom for over 200 years!

Unfortunately, a democracy cannot continue to exist as a permanent form of government without a strong leader and government representatives in Washington who are elected by – and serve – the people.

A democracy will continue up to the time that voters and congressmen discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.

If voters always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits, not what is best for America, the result will be the collapse of our liberty, followed by a dictatorial form of government.

The current corruption in Washington, and lack of leadership – plus a constantly expanding government that spends our tax dollars like water – by departments such as the IRS (on personal entertainment) is completely out of control!

We need both Democrats and Republicans to unite, and stop this slide into dependency and bondage.

<p class="bold allcaps">Shooting down drinking and driving</p>
<p>Headline in Aug. 5 StarNews: “North Carolina allows guns in bars.”</p><p>Finally! We have found a way to stop drinking and driving.</p><p>Just shoot each other before getting into your car!</p><p>Melinda Cheshire, Wilmington</p><h3>Short-sighted Republicans</h3>
<p>I am a conservative Republican. I voted for Gov. Pat McCrory and our representatives, believing they would use common sense to trim our government budget.</p><p>Giving no raise to teachers (or rewarding them for advanced degrees) should be the last option for balancing the budget. The education of all the children of North Carolina ensures a tax base for the future.</p><p>How will we attract and keep the finest teachers? Not by this short-sighted decision.</p><p>To the public officials: Change this cut, or you won't be my choice – or that of many others – in the next election.</p><p>Judy A. Carne, Leland</p><h3>Phil Berger's actions speak loudly</h3>
<p>If Sen. Phil Berger thinks that “the overwhelming majority of educators are top-notch,” as he wrote recently in the StarNews, then why should only 25 percent of them be eligible for a paltry $500 raise? A majority is more than 50 percent. Berger wants us to think that he really cares about teachers, but his actions say something else entirely. </p><p>That $500-per-year raise is less than 1 percent for the average teacher. That won't come close to the rate of inflation. That is not a reward no matter how many times Berger calls it that. </p><p>So, he wants to “reward” some of the top-notch teachers with minimal pay increases, while other top-notch teachers get nothing. I guess some teachers are more top-notch than others, but none of them deserve to keep up with inflation. </p><p>The choices for North Carolina teachers and other state employees are now clear: Leave the profession, leave the state, or get even more active politically.</p><p>The time to make this choice is now. Don't wait for inflation to further reduce the purchasing power of a static salary.</p><p>Eric Brandon, Wilmington</p><h3>We need new crop of leaders</h3>
<p>America the Beautiful has been the greatest place to live in freedom for over 200 years!</p><p>Unfortunately, a democracy cannot continue to exist as a permanent form of government without a strong leader and government representatives in Washington who are elected by – and serve – the people.</p><p>A democracy will continue up to the time that voters and congressmen discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.</p><p>If voters always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits, not what is best for America, the result will be the collapse of our liberty, followed by a dictatorial form of government.</p><p>The current corruption in Washington, and lack of leadership – plus a constantly expanding government that spends our tax dollars like water – by departments such as the IRS (on personal entertainment) is completely out of control!</p><p>We need both Democrats and Republicans to unite, and stop this slide into dependency and bondage.</p><p>Ray Caspary, Wilmington</p>